Converging row unit for potato planter

Abstract

A converging row unit for planting seed potatoes includes a plurality of linear arrays of seed cups, each array disposed upon a flexible endless belt and having an upwardly moveable portion and a downwardly moveable portion. The upwardly moveable portion passes through a seed pick region wherein each seed cup can draw a seed, while the downwardly moveable portion progresses to a point of discharge of the seed. The linear arrays are laterally spaced apart from each other in the upwardly moveable portion, and converge together in the downwardly moveable portion, toward to the point of discharge.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM[0001]The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 679,975, filed on Nov. 11, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.BACKGROUNDField of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates generally to systems for planting seed potatoes. More particularly, the present invention provides a converging row unit for a seed potato planting system, having multiple arrays of seed cups that pick up seed potatoes separately, then converge to drop the seeds in a single line in a furrow.Related Art[0003]Many seed potato planting devices employ a belt or chain with a series of cups disposed along their length. Each cup picks up a seed potato (i.e. a cut portion of a potato) from a seed potato supply hopper as the belt or chain passes therethrough, and directs the seed potato up over a top pulley and into a downwardly oriented chute, through which the seed potato is discharged for planting. While th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides a cup-type planter device that allows for faster planting of seed potatoes while minimizing mis-picks. It also allows for accurate placement of seeds in a furrow at a relatively high speed. Additionally, the invention provides a converging row unit that has a first and second array of seed cups that become alternately interleaved together, creating a single converged linear array of seed cups at half the common linear spacing, extending to the point of discharge. This design helps to ensure an efficient and effective planting process.

Problems solved by technology

One common challenge associated with cup-type planters is the problem of mis-picks.

On occasion, an individual cup along the belt or chain will fail to secure a seed potato from the hopper—called a “mis-pick”—or the potato seed piece can fall out of the cup.

When skips occur, less seed is planted in the field, which will decrease the crop yield.

Unfortunately, the frequency of mis-picks tends to increase when planting speeds increase.

However, a reduced spacing of cups tends to reduce the pick accuracy, increasing the frequency of mis-picks.

However, known systems of this type tend to result in lower accuracy of placement of the seeds in the furrow, since both belts cannot be located in exactly the same space, and thus are each displaced some distance from a point right above the furrow.

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